The 46th Meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, 19088-19089 [2023-06617]

Download as PDF 19088 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2023 / Notices negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks; (3) the proposed authorized takes represent small numbers of marine mammals relative to the affected stock abundances; (4) Atlantic Shores’ activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on taking for subsistence purposes as no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action, and (5) appropriate monitoring and reporting requirements are included. Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for endangered or threatened species. NMFS is proposing to authorize the incidental take of four species of marine mammals which are listed under the ESA, the North Atlantic right, fin, sei, and sperm whale, and has determined that this activity falls within the scope of activities analyzed in NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office’s programmatic consultation regarding geophysical surveys along the U.S. Atlantic coast in the three Atlantic Renewable Energy Regions (completed June 29, 2021; revised September 2021). lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Proposed Authorization As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to Atlantic Shores for conducting HRG marine site characterization surveys off New Jersey and New York for a period of one year, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. A draft of the proposed IHA can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act. Request for Public Comments We request comment on our analyses (included in both this document and the referenced documents supporting the 2022 IHA (ITA application; issued IHA; and Federal Register notices including 87 FR 4200, January 27, 2022; 87 FR 24103, April 22, 2022; 87 FR 26726, May 5, 2022)), the proposed authorization, and any other aspect of this notice of proposed IHA for the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 259001 proposed HRG marine site characterization surveys. We also request comment on the potential for renewal of this proposed IHA as described in the paragraph below. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final decision on the request for MMPA authorization. On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a one-time, one-year renewal IHA following notice to the public providing an additional 15 days for public comments when (1) up to another year of identical or nearly identical activities as described in the Description of the Proposed Activity and Anticipated Impacts section of this notice is planned or (2) the activities as described in the Description of the Proposed Activity and Anticipated Impacts section of this notice would not be completed by the time the IHA expires and a renewal would allow for completion of the activities beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section of this notice, provided all of the following conditions are met: • A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days prior to the needed renewal IHA effective date (recognizing that the renewal IHA expiration date cannot extend beyond one year from expiration of the initial IHA); • The request for renewal must include the following: (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the requested renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take); and (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized; and • Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid. PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: March 24, 2023. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–06594 Filed 3–29–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The 46th Meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force The Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office for Coastal Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments. AGENCY: NOAA and the Department of Interior (DOI) will hold the 46th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). NOAA and DOI will be accepting oral and written comments. DATES: NOAA and DOI will hold a public meeting on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) at the Department of Interior, Auditorium, 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240. Written comments must be received before 8 a.m. ET on April 21, 2023. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the following methods: Oral Comments: NOAA and DOI will accept oral comments at the meeting on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET. Email: Please direct written comments to Michael Lameier, NOAA, USCRTF Steering Committee Point of Contact, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, via email at michael.lameier@ noaa.gov. In the subject heading of your email, please include ‘‘Written comments for the 46th U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting’’. The oral and written comments NOAA and DOI receive are considered part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, including the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and other supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive personally identifiable information, such as account numbers and Social Security numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments that are not related to the USCRTF or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language will not be considered. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 61 / Thursday, March 30, 2023 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Lameier, NOAA USCRTF Steering Committee Point of Contact, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, (410) 267–5673, michael.lameier@noaa.gov, or Liza Johnson, DOI USCRTF Steering Committee Executive Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior, (202) 255–9843, Liza_M_Johnson@ios.doi.gov, or visit the USCRTF website at https:// www.coralreef.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting provides a forum for coordinated planning and action among Federal agencies, State and territorial governments, and non-governmental partners. Registration is requested to participate in the meeting. This meeting has time allotted for public oral comment from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET. A written summary of the meeting will be posted on the USCRTF website within two months of occurrence. For more information about the meeting, registering for the meeting, and submitting public comments, visit https://www.coralreef.gov. During the oral comment period, commenters are encouraged to address the meeting, the role of the USCRTF, or general coral reef conservation issues. Authority: Pub. L. 117–263, 136 Stat 2396; E.O. 13089, 63 FR 32701. Nicole R. LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2023–06617 Filed 3–29–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–08–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration [Docket Number: 230306–0064] RIN 0660–XC056 National Environmental Policy Act Procedures and Categorical Exclusions National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (‘‘NTIA’’) proposes to follow First Responder Network Authority’s (‘‘FirstNet Authority’’) National Environmental Policy Act (‘‘NEPA’’) procedures on an interim basis with modifications to account for lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Mar 29, 2023 Jkt 259001 NTIA’s internal organization and establish 33 categorical exclusions (‘‘CEs’’) in compliance with NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality (‘‘CEQ’’) regulations, and other related authorities. NTIA’s proposed CEs cover administrative, real property and facility, and operational actions that individually or cumulatively do not have a significant effect on the human environment. This process is intended to further NTIA’s compliance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (‘‘IIJA’’) and increase NTIA’s efficiency in environmental analysis and decision making while fully meeting NEPA’s requirements. DATES: Submit comments on or before May 1, 2023. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by [docket number and/or RIN number], by any of the following methods: Federal Rulemaking Website: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for Docket ID NTIA–2023–0004. Email comments to: NEPAComments@ntia.gov. Mail comments to: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4878, Attn: Amanda Pereira, Environmental Program Officer, Washington, DC 20230. Comments submitted by mail may be in hard copy (paper) or electronic (e.g., CD–ROM, disk, or thumb drive). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amanda Pereira, Environmental Program Officer, at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by electronic or regular mail as listed above, or by telephone 202–834–4016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background NTIA is the Executive Branch agency that is principally responsible for advising the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband internet access and adoption in the United States, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, and ensuring that the internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth. NTIA is engaged in a range of efforts to increase internet access and adoption. NTIA’s Role in Implementing the Broadband Provisions of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (‘‘IIJA’’) into PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19089 law.1 Passage of the IIJA is a significant step forward in achieving the BidenHarris Administration’s goal of providing broadband access to the entire United States. The IIJA sets forth a $65 billion investment into broadband; $48.2 billion of that investment will be administered by NTIA. This investment will leverage NTIA’s experience in promoting broadband infrastructure development and digital inclusion efforts. The IIJA directs NTIA to establish five new broadband programs and provides additional funding for the previously established Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (‘‘TBCP’’). The largest of these programs is the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (‘‘BEAD’’) Program, which Congress mandated NTIA establish in no more than 180 days after the IIJA was enacted.2 The BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion, to be distributed among states, territories, DC, and Puerto Rico, for projects that support broadband infrastructure deployment and adoption. The IIJA requires that NTIA obligate all funds appropriated for the BEAD program in an expedient manner.3 One billion dollars will also be appropriated to NTIA for the creation of the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. The purpose of this grant program is to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas to the internet backbone. An additional $2.75 billion will be distributed through the Digital Equity Act Programs to promote digital inclusion and equity to ensure that all individuals and communities have the opportunity to acquire the same skills, technology, and capacity needed to engage in the Nation’s digital economy. These programs include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, a $60 million formula grant program for states and territories to develop digital equity plans; the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, a $1.44 billion formula grant program for states and territories to implement digital equity projects and support the implementation of digital equity plans; and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, a $1.25 billion discretionary grant program for specific types of political subdivisions to implement digital equity projects. Additionally, the IIJA provides $2 billion to NTIA’s existing TBCP. The TBCP directs funding to Tribal governments to be used for broadband 1 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117–58 (2021). 2 Id. at 60102(b). 3 Id. at 60102(b)(3). E:\FR\FM\30MRN1.SGM 30MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19088-19089]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06617]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


The 46th Meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

AGENCY: The Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office for Coastal 
Management, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of meeting; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NOAA and the Department of Interior (DOI) will hold the 46th 
meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF). NOAA and DOI will 
be accepting oral and written comments.

DATES: NOAA and DOI will hold a public meeting on Friday, April 21, 
2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) at the Department of 
Interior, Auditorium, 1849 C St. NW, Washington, DC 20240. Written 
comments must be received before 8 a.m. ET on April 21, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted by the following methods:
    Oral Comments: NOAA and DOI will accept oral comments at the 
meeting on Friday, April 21, 2023, from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
    Email: Please direct written comments to Michael Lameier, NOAA, 
USCRTF Steering Committee Point of Contact, NOAA Coral Reef 
Conservation Program, via email at [email protected]. In the 
subject heading of your email, please include ``Written comments for 
the 46th U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting''.
    The oral and written comments NOAA and DOI receive are considered 
part of the public record, and the entirety of the comment, including 
the name of the commenter, email address, attachments, and other 
supporting materials, will be publicly accessible. Sensitive personally 
identifiable information, such as account numbers and Social Security 
numbers, should not be included with the comment. Comments that are not 
related to the USCRTF or that contain profanity, vulgarity, threats, or 
other inappropriate language will not be considered.

[[Page 19089]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Lameier, NOAA USCRTF Steering 
Committee Point of Contact, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, (410) 
267-5673, [email protected], or Liza Johnson, DOI USCRTF 
Steering Committee Executive Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior, 
(202) 255-9843, [email protected], or visit the USCRTF website 
at https://www.coralreef.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting provides a forum for coordinated 
planning and action among Federal agencies, State and territorial 
governments, and non-governmental partners. Registration is requested 
to participate in the meeting. This meeting has time allotted for 
public oral comment from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET. A written summary of 
the meeting will be posted on the USCRTF website within two months of 
occurrence. For more information about the meeting, registering for the 
meeting, and submitting public comments, visit https://www.coralreef.gov. During the oral comment period, commenters are 
encouraged to address the meeting, the role of the USCRTF, or general 
coral reef conservation issues.
    Authority: Pub. L. 117-263, 136 Stat 2396; E.O. 13089, 63 FR 32701.

Nicole R. LeBoeuf,
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, 
National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-06617 Filed 3-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P

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